Spain accepts Vietnam’s new passport

The Spanish Embassy in Hanoi on Monday said it would accept Vietnam’s new passport following consultation with Spanish authorities.

Vietnam’s new passport has already included necessary information in accordance with international regulations, the embassy said.

However, it said those who wish to apply for visa need to bring both their new passports and valid identity cards to verify their places of birth. The embassy also warns that Spain’s visa on Vietnam’s new passport would not be valid for entry into countries which have not accepted the passports, even if those countries are part of the Schengen group.

Previously on August 1, Spain denied visas for holders of Vietnam’s new passports because they lack information regarding places of birth.

Spain’s rejection followed Germany’s move on July 27 for the same reason. The Czech Republic on August 2 also said it does not recognize Vietnam’s new passports due to the lack of birthplace information.

The immigration department under the Ministry of Public Security said Vietnam’s new passport model complies with international regulations and practices and issues that arise will be prioritized for handling through diplomatic channels.

The ministry has said it will look into regulations to see if it is possible to incorporate place of birth in the new passport. In the meantime, birthplace info would be added to the new passports manually and citizens could go to the local immigration office or Vietnamese representative agencies abroad for this, the ministry added.

Vietnamese new passport, with decorations on its pages and covers, has been in use since July 1 this year. The old, green cover passports will continue to be valid till they expire.

By Thanh Danh – VnExpress.net – August 7, 2022